News Summary
Charlotte experienced significant snowfall leading to numerous school delays and closures across the city and Mecklenburg County. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will operate on a two-hour delay to ensure student safety amidst freezing temperatures. Several neighboring districts are following suit, while some have opted for e-learning days. Parents are advised to stay updated on schedule changes as conditions evolve.
Winter Weather Causes School Delays and Closures in Charlotte
Charlotte woke up to a fluffy blanket of snow on Wednesday afternoon, creating a picturesque winter scene across the city and Mecklenburg County. But while kids may have loved the snowy transformation, local schools are adjusting their schedules due to freezing temperatures and the potential for more snow on Thursday, February 20.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Two-Hour Delay
On Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be operating on a two-hour delay. This is primarily to ensure the safety of all students as temperatures are predicted to dip into the 20s overnight before warming up to a balmy 37 degrees by midday. If you’re the parent of students in this district, don’t forget that buses will pick up children two hours later than they normally would! Additionally, before school programs will also start later.
For those interested in how this affects daily schedules, schools with a 7:30 a.m. bell time will now start at 9:30 a.m., while those that usually begin at 8:00 a.m. will kick off their day at 10:00 a.m. Rest assured, regular after-school activities, including the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP), will proceed as planned.
Neighboring Districts Join in the Delay
But Charlotte isn’t alone—many nearby districts are also exercising caution with two-hour delays. Catawba County Schools will be following suit as well, citing concerns over freezing temperatures and the potential for black ice on the roads. Cabarrus County Schools will also delay their opening, and school officials are prepared to close entirely if conditions worsen.
In Chester County, students are already enjoying a pre-scheduled spring intersession, which are slated to continue until February 21. Meanwhile, Clover School District campuses are closed for their own winter intersession, lasting from February 17 to 21.
Fort Mill and Gaston County Schools
In Fort Mill, all facilities will shut their doors on Thursday, making way for an e-learning day. Furthermore, all sports and after-school activities will be canceled for the time being. Gaston County Schools, while initially planning to operate on a two-hour delay, may also switch to remote learning if road conditions prove hazardous.
Other Districts Taking Precautions
Hickory City Schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools, Lincoln County Schools, and Lancaster County Schools have all announced that they too will open two hours late for safety. Kannapolis City Schools will not have classes at all on Thursday.
Both the Mooresville Graded School District and the Rock Hill School District have opted for an e-learning day, and all facilities will be closed for safety. Meanwhile, Union County Public Schools will also implement a similar strategy with remote learning, shutting down all district facilities and canceling athletic events.
Even the York School District has opted for a full closure due to anticipated snow and below-freezing temperatures. It appears, however, that there are still updates on the way, as other districts may announce their own schedule changes as conditions evolve.
Stay Safe and Warm!
It’s clear that taking caution is the theme of the day. Whether kids are bundling up at home or gearing up for school, it’s a great time to make sure they stay warm and safe. As always, parents and students should keep an eye on local announcements for any further updates throughout the day.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Charlotte’s Salvation Army Expands to Address Homelessness
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Shift to Remote Learning Due to Winter Weather
Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 Crash-Lands in Toronto
Devastating Flooding Hits Kentucky and West Virginia
North Carolina High School Basketball Player of the Week Nominees
Charlotte Launches New AI Institute to Boost Research
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Transition to Remote Learning
Charlotte AI Institute Launches to Propel Innovation
Charlotte Schools Transition to Remote Learning Due to Winter Weather
Charlotte Prepares for Snowy Day with Remote Learning
Additional Resources
- QC News
- Wikipedia: Weather
- WBTV
- Google Search: Charlotte Mecklenburg schools weather
- Charlotte Observer
- Google Scholar: winter weather school closures
- WSOC TV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: winter weather
- MSN News
- Google News: winter weather school closures Charlotte
